Effects Of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract On Red And White Blood Cells Counts

Background: Blood is an essential component of the circulatory system and the body at large. It is a
fluid connective tissue that performs many functions in the body including regulating and/or
transporting medium, maintains its constituents within defined physiological normal range and keeps
the body alive. It is composed of cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes) suspended in
plasma. But due to the incidence of poverty and malnutrition and other environmental factors in
Africa and other developing countries, some of these disease conditions, especially anaemia, have
become prevalent, affecting mostly women and children. Hence every resource, both herbs, plants
and drugs, is deployed to curbing this menace. In Nigeria and some other African countries, herbs
and plants are used as alternative to drugs due to its availability, affordability, cultural, religious,
ethnic and superstitious beliefs.
Aim of Study: The current study examined the blood cell (White and Red cell) counts of Wistar rats
fed with ethanolic extract of M. oleifera leaves.
Method: Wistar rats (18) were divided into three groups of 6 each: Group 1 served as control (not
given extract), Group 2 was fed with 200mg per kg (of body weight) of the leaf extract for 15 days,
and Group 3 was fed with 300mg per kg (of body weight) of the leaf extract for the same duration.
The results showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in both red and white blood cell counts of rats in
groups 2 and 3 as compared to the ones in the control group (group 1) in both low and high doses.
Conclusion: This infers that 200mg per kg and 300mg per kg of Moringa oleifera leave extract
contain active ingredients required for the formation and maturation of blood cells (red and white
blood cells), hence the increase in the blood cells counts.